The United States National Hurricane Center warned that the storm’s slow pace and heavy rains could cause potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides in some Mexican states.

Hurricane John rapidly strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Monday and was expected to intensify further before hitting Mexico's southern Pacific coast in the coming hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane John has threatened southwestern Mexico with severe flooding even as it weakened on its journey inland after leaving three people dead and causing severe damage.